BAND-E-AMIR, AFGHANISTAN - SEPTEMBER 6: A sign marks the entrance to Band-E-Amir National Park September 6, 2009 in Band-E-Amir, Afghanistan. Located in the province of the Bamiyan Buddhas, in central Afghanistan, the park was declared Afghanistan's first National Park on April 22, 2009. Its designation as a National Park will allow Afghanistan to apply for international recognition of Band-e-Amir as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Band-e-Amir has been a destination for Afghan tourists since at least the early 1950's, but tourism significantly declined during the 20 years of wars and Taliban rule. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)